On April 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 55th anniversary commemoration of China-US 'ping-pong diplomacy' and the launch ceremony of the China-US Youth Sports Exchange Series of Activities.
People from all walks of life in China and the United States remarked that President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter highly praised the historical and contemporary significance of 'ping-pong diplomacy', encouraging people from both countries, especially the younger generation, to understand each other, become closer, and move forward hand in hand, injecting powerful momentum and warm energy into bilateral relations. Guided by the spirit of the letter, with great enthusiasm and solid actions, the spirit of 'ping-pong diplomacy' should be carried forward in the new era, making new contributions to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations.
'Fifty-five years ago, senior leaders of China and the United States, with outstanding political wisdom and strategic foresight, reopened the door to friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries, creating the historic story of the "small ball spins the big ball".' President Xi Jinping's recollection of the legendary story of 'ping-pong diplomacy' in his congratulatory letter allowed everyone present at the commemoration to relive those unforgettable warm memories from over half a century ago.
In 1971, at the 31st World Table Tennis Championships held in Japan, the handshake between American player Glenn Cowan and Chinese player Zhuang Zedong became a world-renowned moment. Afterwards, the US table tennis delegation was invited to visit China, breaking the ice that had kept the two sides isolated and opposed for more than 20 years. From then on, China-US relations began to thaw, resume, and develop.
Judy Hoarfrost, who was just 15 years old at the time, was the youngest member of the American delegation. Now 70 years old, she listened to President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter at the event and, recalling the 'icebreaking journey' from 55 years ago, still felt deeply moved.
'I still clearly remember sitting down for in-depth talks and exchanges of skills with Chinese athletes. That was pure friendship, mutual respect from the heart. As President Xi said in his letter, "The foundation of China-US relations is laid by the people."' Judy said, the people of the two countries were full of curiosity about each other and eager to get closer, thus achieving 'ping-pong diplomacy.'
At the Capital Gymnasium, the venue for the commemoration, Judy and her former teammate Connie Sweeris once again played a friendship match with Chinese friends. This was exactly where they first played a friendship match with the Chinese table tennis players 55 years ago.
Upon hearing President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter at the scene, Connie was very excited. 'Ping-pong diplomacy' changed my life. I will always remember how my Chinese friends said at the time, "Friendship first, competition second." Connie said she deeply feels President Xi's constant concern about US-China relations and the friendship between the peoples. She sincerely hopes people from all walks of life in both countries, especially the younger generation, can draw wisdom and strength from history, inherit the spirit of 'ping-pong diplomacy', and steadily promote US-China relations forward.
'The foundation of China-US relations is laid by the people, and the future is to be created by the youth.' President Xi Jinping gave this encouragement to people from all walks of life in both countries, especially the younger generation, in his congratulatory letter.